The Cognitive Science of Intelligence Analysis

Abstract

Over the years, the human factors community has identified many challenges and complexities associated with intelligence analysis, many directly related to cognition. The pressures that intelligence analysts must deal with on a day-to-day basis stretch one’s cognitive bandwidth. Through a review of human factors related intelligence analysis research, this paper presents multiple cognitive challenges that impact intelligence analysts’ work. In response to these challenges, the authors outline ways in which human factors can be beneficial to alleviating many of the challenges. Finally, the authors introduce the Living Lab approach as a valuable and unique means for understanding the cognitive science of intelligence analysis.